Crusher



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Jo/m l B Cox Fred L. Thomas UUUUUU UUUUUU May 4, 1943. J. v. 8. sex ET AL GRUSHER Filed Nov. 18, 1941 Patented May 4, 1943 CRUSHER John V. B. Cox and Fred L. Thomas, Portland, reg., assignors to Hercules Powder Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application November 18, 1941, Serial No. 419,550

I 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a crusher and, more particularly, to a machine for crushing friable materials.

Ordinarily friable materials, which are to be subsequently processed, are stored and frequently packaged in solidified form for convenience in' required and because of the hazards attending this method of crushing including the danger from flying fragments and dust.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a machine for crushing friable material or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for safely, effectively, and expeditiously crushing friable materials.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the dust hazard inherent in the crushing of.

friable materials by prior art methods.

Still other objects will more fully hereinafter appear.

Generally described, the present invention consists of a crusher having in combination a crushing chamber into which material to be crushed is received, the crushing chamber having at least a portion of the walls thereof in the form of an apertured structure against which some of the material is crushed and through which the crushed material passes, a feeding member for feeding the material to be crushed into the crushing chamber, said member serving as a portion of the crushing chamber after the material has been fed, and a crushing plunger operable within the crushing chamber.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification wherein reference symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur. Fig. l is a side elevational view of one form of apparatus for the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sec tional view taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 .is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, inclusive, a frame I has transverse members 3 supporting a steam cylinder 5. The steam cylinder 5 is rigidly secured to the transverse members 3 which are in turn rigidly secured to the frame I by a plurality of bolts 1. A piston rod 9 connected to a piston (not shown) within the cylinder extends from the steam cylinder 5 and has connected thereto a plunger II. The plunger H is preferably faced with an impact head l3 of non-pyrophoric material to eliminate any possibility of ignitionof dust particles. A compression spring I5 concentric with the piston rod 9 is disposed between the steam cylinder 5 and a sleeve I! which slidably engages one of the transverse members 3. The sleeve l1 engages the plunger II when the plunger approaches a fully retracted position and is still in retrogressive movement thereby transmitting any impact to the compression spring [5 which absorbs the shock. The plunger II in progressive and retrogressive reciprocating movement travels within a crushing chamber 19 which has guide angles 2| therein. The guide angles 2| are an integral part of the frame I and serve to guide the plunger H in its reciprocative movement. At the point of contact between the plunger I l and the lower guide angles 2| scrapers 23 are aflixed to the plunger ll. During reciprocation of the plunger H the scrapers 23 remove any material tending to build 'up" on the guide angles by accretion. Water, as alubrlcant, is supplied to the friction surfaces of the plunger H and the guide angles 2| by pipe line 25 which has a plurality of outlets 21 spaced along the top of the crushing chamber. The outlets 2! supply water through the upper pair of guide angles 2| from whence .it trickles to lubricate the lower guide angles. The crushing chamber I9 is provided with a charging door 29 which serves the dual purpose of a charging door and a loading platform for the material to be crushed. The charging door 29 is hingedly secured to bearing brackets 3| which in turn are rigidly secured to the frame I. The bearing brackets 3i support a rotatable shaft 33 having a lever arm 35 rigidly secured thereto which is connected by articulated members 31 to the piston (not shown) of a water cylinder 39. The cylinder 39 is affixed to cover plate 4| which is secured to the frame I. The shaft 33 also has lever arms 43 rigidly secured thereto which have traction wheels 45 axially mounted in the bifurcations of the lever arms. The wheels 45 engage track members 41 which are integral with the bottom side of charging door 29. The track members 41 are traversed by series of very short strokes to the plunger I I.

the wheels 45 when the charging door 29 is raised by movement of the lever arms 43 thereby charging any material disposed on the charging door 29 into the crushing chamber I9 and ultimately, in the fully raised position, the charging door 29 forms a closure for the charging entrance of the crushing chamber. The end of chamber. I9 opposite the plunger H is formed by an end grizzly 49 which is rigidly secured to the frame I by bolts 1. The direct impact and compressive stress on the material being crushed is distributed between the plunger II and the grizzly 49 thereby causing a considerable quantity of the crushed material to be forced through the apertures 5| in the grizzly 49. Other quantities of the crushed material fall through a bottom grizzly 53 which is likewise rigidly secured to the frame I by bolts I. The remainder of the crushing chamber I9 and the discharge for end grizzly 49 is enclosed by cover plates 55 which are affixed to the frame i. I

,An example of the operation of the invention is given for crushing a friable material, such as rosin. Prior to beginning the crushing operation, the plunger II is fully retracted (see II Fig. 1) and the charging door 29 is lowered to the horizontal position. A barrel of rosin is then rolled to position on the charging door 29, and its ends and sides removed manually. The operator then manipulates water valve 51 by valve handle 510, the valve being connected to pressure line 59 which supplies water to water cylinder 39 so as to elevate the charging door 29, which with the assistance of guide plates GI integrally affixed to the frame I causes the rosin to slide into the crushing chamber I9. After the door 29 is elevated to substantially the vertical (see 29 Fig. 4), it is maintained in this position by water pres sure in the cylinder 39 whereby the machine is rendered substantially dust tight. The operator then slightly opens a valve 69, which is connected to water supply line 65 and pipe line 25, thereby causing the water lubricant to be discharged from the outlets 21 and thereby lubricating the frictional surfaces of the plunger II. The operator then manipulates a steam valve IiI by valve handle 61a. the valve being connected to steam line 69 and steam cylinder 5. The valve 61 is operated so as to cause the cylinder 5 to apply a It has been found that the operation of plunger II with very short strokes creates impact stresses in the rosin which break the rosin quicker and easier than ifthe plunger is drawn back the full length and a harder blow administered. After the rosin' been found to be extremely satisfactory in actual operation, it will be obvious that numerous "dhal'ig'es may be made therein within the skill of those versed in the art. For example, the valves 51 and 69 as utilized are four-way valves. However, other valving arrangements may be employed, if desired. a single control might be providedwhich would interlock the operation of the charging door 29 and the plunger II so that by a single manipulation of this control, the operator could carry out the entire crushing operation. This would prevent any possibility of the door 29 being elevated before the plunger I I had been fully retracted. Likewise the control of the plunger might be rendered fully automatic so as to deliver a series of strokes without attention on the part of the operator and automatically retract the plunger I I and lower the charging door Eat the completion of a crushing operation.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the objects and advantages of the invention may be accomplished in an economical and practical manner. The necessity for manual crushing of friable material is eliminated and it isno longer necessary for workmen, performing the crushing operation, to endure the discomforts of a dust atmosphere as the crusher is substantially dust tight. Furthermorathe possibility of injury from flying fragments and handling of the material to be crushed is greatly reduced. The present invention fulfills a long wanted need in industry for this type crusher from a standpoint of safety, economy, and better working conditions.

What we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for crushing friable material, a frame comprising four longitudinal angle members rigidly disposed at the corners of a rectangle, means partially enclosing one end of said frame to form a crushing chamber, one side of said chamber being open to form an opening for charging said crushing chamber, said enclosing means comprising a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the end of said crushing chamber and a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the bottom of said crushing chamber between the bottom two frame members, a receiving housing enclosing said grids exteriorly of said frame for coilecting material passing through said grids, a rectangular plunger guided by said angle members and mounted to reciprocate longitudinally within said frame through said crushing chamber, bearing means mounted on the bottom and sides of said plunger and adapted to engage said angle members to thereby support said plunger, a fluid-operated cylinder and piston mounted longitudinally in the other end of said frame, a piston rod connecting said piston to said plunger. valve means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cylinder to reciprocate said piston and thereby said plunger through said crushing chamber,-a plate hinged at one side to the bottom frame member along the bottom of said open side and adapted in one position to lie substantially horizontally for receiving a charge of material to be crushed and to be swung into the vertical position where it closes said open side thereby discharging the material charge into said crushing chamber, and means for swinging 1 said plate from either of said positions to the other, said last-named means comprising a pair of tracks transversely mounted on the bottom side of said plate, a shaft journalled longitudinally below said frame, a pair of levers rigidly mounted on said shaft and having rollers at their ends rollingly engaging said tracks, a fluid operated cylinder and piston for rotating said shaft, and valve means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said last-named cylinder for thereby reciprocating said piston to thereby swing said plate.

2. In a machine for crushing friable material. a frame comprising four longitudinal angle members rigidiy disposed at the corners of a rectangle,

means partially enclosing one endof said frame 7 to form a crushing chamber, one'side of said chamber being open to form an opening for charging said crushing chamber, said enclosing means comprising a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the endof saidcrushing chamber and a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the bottom of said'tcrushing chamber between the bottom two frame members, a receiving housing enclosing said grids exteriorly of said frame.

for collecting material passing through said grids, a rectangular plunger guided by said angle members and mounted to reciprocate longitudinally within said frame through said crus'iinz chamber, bearing means mounted on the bottom and sides of said plunger and adapted'to engage said angle members to thereby support sa d plunger. .a fluid-operated cylinder and piston mounted longitudinallyin the other end of sa d frame, a piston rod connecting said piston to said plunger, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cyl nder to reciprocate said piston and thereby said plunger'thrcugh said crushing chamber, a plate hinted at one side to the bottom frame member along the bottom of said open side and adapted in one position to lie substantially horizontally for receiving a charge of material to be crushed and to be swung into substantially the vertical position where it closes said open side thereby disframe to form a crushing chamber, one side of said chamber being open to form an opening for changing said crushing chamber, said enclosing means comprising a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the end of said crushing chamber and a rectangular grid rigidly, mounted across the bottom of said crushing chamber between the bottom two frame members, a receiving housing enclosing said grids exteriorly of said frame for collecting material passing through said grids, a rectangular plunger guided by said angle members and mounted .to reciprocate longitudinally within said frame through said crushing chamber, bearing meansmounted on' the bottom and sides of said plunger and adapted to engage said angle members to thereby support said plunger, means for playing a small jet of waterjonto the bottom angle members to lubricate said plunger, scrapers mounted on the bottom of said plunger for scraping said bottom anglemembers and thereby preventing excessive accumulation of material therecharging the material charge into said crushin chamber, and means for swinging said plate from either 'of said positions to the other.

3. In a machine for crushing friable material, a frame comprising four longitudinal angle members rigidly disposed at the corners of a rectangle, means partially enclosing one end of said frame to form a crushing chamber, one side of said chamber being open to form an opening for charging said'crushing chamber, said enclosing means comprising a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the end of said crushing chamber and a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the bottom of said crushing chamber between the bottom two frame members; a receiving housing enclosing said grids exteriorly of said frame for collecting material passing through said grids,-a rectangular plunger guided by said angle members and mounted to reciprocate longitudinally within said frame through said crushing cham-' ber, bearing means mounted on the bottom and sides of said plunger and adapted to engage said angle members to thereby support said plunger, means for playing small jets of water onto the frictional surfaces of said angle members to lubricate said plunger, a fluid-operated cylinder and piston mounted longitudinallyin the other end of said frame, a piston rod connecting said piston to said plunger, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cylinder to reciprocate said piston and thereby said plunger through said crushing chamber,- a plate hinged at one side to the bottom frame member along the bottom of said open side and adapted in one position to lie substantially hori zontally for receiving a charge of material to be crushed and to be swung into the vertical position where it closes said open side thereby discharging the material charge into said crushing chamber, and means for swinging said plate from either of said positions to the other.

4. In a machine for crushing friable material, a frame comprising four longitudinal angle members rigidly disposed at the corners of a rectangle, means partially enclosing one end of said on, a fluid-operated cylinder and piston mounted longitudinally in the other end of said frame, a

piston rod connecting said piston to said plunger, valve means for controlling the admissionof fluid under pressure to said cylinder to reciprocate said piston and thereby said plunger through said crushing chamber, a plate hinged at one side to the bottom frame member along the bottom of said open side and adapted in one position to lie substantially horizontally for receiving a charge of material to be crushed and to be swung into the vertical position where it closes said open side thereby discharging the material charge into said crushing chamber, and means for swinging said plate from either of said positions to the other.

5. In a machine for crushing friable material, a frame comprising four longitudinal angle members rigidly disposed at the corners of a rectangle, means disposed at the corners of a rectangle, means partially enclosing one end of said frame to form a crushing chamber, one side of said chamber being open to form an opening for charging said crushing chamber, said enclosing means comprising a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the end of said crushing chamber and a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across the bottom of said crushing chamber between the bottom two frame members, a receiving housing enclosing saidgrids exteriorly of said frame for collecting material passing through said grids, a rectangular plunger guided by said angle members and mounted to reciprocate longitudinally within said frame through said crushing chamber, bearing means mounted on the bottom and sides of said plunger and adapted to engage said angle members to thereby support said plunger, a fluid-operated cylinder and piston 'mounted longitudinally in the other end of said frame, a piston rod connecting said piston to said plunger, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cylinder to reciprocatesaid piston and thereby said plunger through said crushing chamber, a plate hinged at one side to the bottom frame member alorig the bottom of said open side and adapted in one position to lie substantially horizontally for re the edges of said plate for cooperating with said plate in charging said crushing chamber, and means for swinging said plate from either of said positions to the other.

6. In a machine for crushing friable material,

a-fra me comprising four longitudinal angle member and a rectangular grid rigidly mounted across 7 the bottom of said crushing chamber between the bottom two frame members, a receiving housing enclosing said grids exteriorly of said frame for collecting material passing through said grids, a rectangular plunger guided by said angle members and mounted to reciprocate longitudinally within said frame through said crushing chamber, bearing means mounted on the bottom and sides of said plunger and adapted to engage said angle members to thereby support said plunger, a fluid-operated cylinder and piston mounted longitudinaliy in the other end of said frame, a piston rod connecting said piston to said plunger, a cushioning coil spring mounted around said piston rod between said cylinder and said plunger for preventing said plunger from striking said cylinder on its retrogi'essive stroke, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cylinder to reciprocate said piston and thereby said plunger through said crushing chamber, a plate hinged at one side to the bottom frame member along the bottom of said open side and adapted in one position to lie substantially horizontally for receiving a charge of material'to be crushed and to be swung into the vertical position where it closes said open side thereby discharging the material charge into said crushing chamber, and means for swinging said plate from either of said positions to the other.

7. In a machine for crushing friable material, a crushing chamber open on one side and adapted to receive through said open side the material to be crushed, a bottom grizzly and an end grizzly forming a portion of said crushing chamber through which crushed material is discharged, means for feeding material to be crushed to said chamber comprising a plate hinged at one side to said chamber along the lower edge of said open side and adapted in one position to function as a platform for receiving the material to be crushed and to be swung upwardly while delivering the material into said chamber into a second position in which it functions to close the open side of said crushing chamber during a crushing operation, means for moving said plate from each of said positions into the other of said positions, a crushing plunger adapted to be reciproeated within said crushing chamber towards and away from said end grizzly, and means for so reciprocating said plunger.

JOHN V. B. COX. FRED L. THOMAS. 

